Title

Identifier

Author

Degree

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Department

Art

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

This photographic project, Dislocation, seeks to document the current state and decline of Cortana Mall in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The mall was built in 1976 during the height of shopping mall construction and was one of the largest shopping centers in the country with five anchor stores and 139 retail spaces. Now, just 48 stores and two anchor stores remain open. This high vacancy rate and deterioration of the mall is due to suburban flight, the building of new shopping centers in southern Baton Rouge, and changing consumer trends, which has led to malls closing across the country. My photographs represent the transitional nature of Cortana Mall. I am using this specific location to also acknowledge a trend of economic decline that is happening nationally.